HS Code 3901Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms
5 six-digit codes · Heading 1 of 26 in Chapter 39 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 3901 is the customs heading for polyethylene, EVA and other ethylene polymers in raw form. Which six-digit code fits depends on density and on the type of copolymer.
Heading 3901 opens Chapter 39: it is the first of the chapter’s 26 headings, and goods answering to “Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms” divide across 5 six-digit codes, 390110 to 390190. The heading is number 1 of 26 in Chapter 39, Plastics and articles thereof, which runs to 131 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 3901
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 390110 | Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 |
| 390120 | Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more |
| 390130 | Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers |
| 390140 | Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 |
| 390190 | Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901 |
What product does HS code 3901 refer to?
In daily trade, most people call these plastics polyethylene. A polymer is a long chain built from small repeating units. Here the repeating unit is ethylene.
The words "primary forms" mean the raw material stage. Think of granules, powder, flakes or liquid, before the plastic is shaped into a film, a pipe or a bag. Finished goods do not belong here. You will find them in other headings of Chapter 39.
The Harmonized System is the shared list that customs offices use to name goods. The heading and its six-digit codes are the same in every member country. Some countries add more digits for their own tariff lines. People call these longer codes HSN or HTS codes. Duty is set on those national lines, so check them with your local customs authority. The HS code classifier can help you start.
Which HS code for polyethylene: 390110 or 390120?
For plain polyethylene, one test decides the code: specific gravity. This is how heavy the material is compared with water. The official wording sets a cut-off. Find the figure on the product's technical data sheet first. Then ask whether the product is EVA or another copolymer, because those have their own lines.
- 390110: polyethylene that falls below the cut-off. This is the lighter group, often sold as low-density polyethylene.
- 390120: polyethylene at or above the cut-off. This is the heavier group, often sold as high-density polyethylene.
- 390130: ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, known as EVA.
- 390140: ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers that fall below the cut-off. Many linear low-density grades are discussed in this group, so confirm the grade on the data sheet.
- 390190: any other ethylene polymer in primary forms that fits none of the lines above.
HS 3901 vs related headings
Several nearby headings are easy to mix up with 3901. Ask two questions: what is the material, and what shape is it in?
EVA is different, because it is a copolymer of ethylene, so it stays in 390130. Ion-exchangers made from these polymers are in 3914.
Used or leftover plastic is its own case. Waste, parings and scrap of plastics go to 3915, even when the plastic is polyethylene. Sheets and film are not primary forms either. Plates, sheets, film and strip that are not self-adhesive go to 3920, and other plastic plates and film go to 3921.
HS 3901 import and export data: buyers and suppliers
Once you know your code, you can look at who trades it. EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.
Use the import and export pages to study trade flows. Use the buyer and supplier pages when you want companies to contact.
Related
- Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof
- HS 3902 polymers of propylene
- HS 3905 vinyl acetate polymers
- HS 3914 ion-exchangers
- HS 3915 plastic waste and scrap
- HS 3920 plastic film and sheets
- HS 3921 other plastic plates and film
- Polyethylene import data
- Polyethylene export data
- HS 3901 buyers
- HS 3901 suppliers
- HS code classifier
- All HS code chapters
- Book a free demo
Nearby headings in Chapter 39
- 3902Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms4 codes
- 3903Polymers of styrene, in primary forms5 codes
- 3904Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms9 codes
- 3905Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms; other…7 codes
- 3906Acrylic polymers in primary forms2 codes
- 3907Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms…11 codes
- 3908Polyamides in primary forms2 codes
- 3909Amino-resins, phenolic resins and polyurethanes, in primary forms6 codes
- 3910Silicones in primary forms1 code
- 3911Petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides…3 codes
- 3912Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, n.e.c. or included, in primary forms6 codes
- 3913Natural polymers (e.g. alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (e.g.…2 codes
Who ships under 3901?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 5 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section VII: Plastics and Rubber, and Articles Thereof, chapters 39–40.
HS Code 3901: common questions
What is the HS code for polyethylene?
It depends on density. Lighter polyethylene goes to 390110, and heavier polyethylene goes to 390120. Check the specific gravity on the data sheet.
What is the HS code for EVA copolymer?
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, is classified under 390130 when it is in primary forms.
What is the difference between HS 390110 and 390120?
Both cover polyethylene. Specific gravity splits them: the lighter material is 390110 and the heavier material is 390120.
Is HS code 3901 a four-digit or six-digit code?
3901 is a four-digit heading. Longer national codes build on those.
What is the difference between HS 3901 and 3902?
3901 is for ethylene polymers. 3902 is for polymers of propylene or of other olefins.
How can I find buyers and suppliers for polyethylene?
Pick the six-digit code that matches your product. Then open the buyer data and supplier data pages and search by that code.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.